Chapter 7: The "Irritable" Wife Knows How to Care for People (7)

Tying the hemp rope to a tree, Su Qiruo tried to use the pulley principle to haul the bear up, only to find that even with her great strength, it was completely insufficient.

It seemed that relying on her own ability wouldn't work. Recalling that the book mentioned the original owner had once hunted a wild boar with a few friends, Su Qiruo decided to return to the village to call for help, intending to share some of the silver with them once the bear was sold.

After marking the area, Su Qiruo shouldered her sack and headed out of the mountains.

The round trip would surely take the better part of the day; by the time she brought people back to haul the bear to the village, it would likely be the middle of the night.

Fearing that Yun Zimu might worry, Su Qiruo returned home first.

Yun Zimu, who hadn't eaten anything all day, was sitting in the courtyard washing the bedding and blankets he had taken off the bed, his eyes cast down as he wondered how he would survive the next half-month.

His wife had cooked half a month's worth of rations in a single meal, and he simply couldn't bring himself to eat it.

Yun Zimu, who had been extremely dissatisfied and full of complaints toward Su Qiruo, saw her return covered in blood, and all his grievances vanished, leaving only fear and worry in his heart.

"Wife, you... what happened to you?"

Seeing the wounds on Su Qiruo's face, Yun Zimu hurriedly stood up and rushed over, not even noticing that he had kicked over the washbasin.

Afraid of staining Yun Zimu's clothes, Su Qiruo stepped back two paces before smiling at him. "It’s nothing, I just took a few tumbles in the mountains. They’re just superficial wounds, nothing to worry about."

As she spoke, Su Qiruo placed the sack in the shade at the corner of the wall and washed her face with the half-basin of clean water nearby.

"But... Wife, you’re bleeding so much!"

Yun Zimu’s voice trembled. He should have been secretly pleased to see Su Qiruo injured, after all, she was always bullying him.

Yet, deep down, beyond the fear and worry, he felt not a shred of joy.

"Don't be afraid, that’s the bear’s blood, not mine."

Su Qiruo not only had to endure the pain of her wounds but also had to turn around and comfort Yun Zimu; the feeling was indescribably awkward.

"Have you eaten? Didn't I tell you not to get out of bed because your leg injury hasn't healed? Why are you washing the bedding?"

Su Qiruo bent down to pick up the overturned basin, then scrubbed the blanket a few times with effort before hanging it up to dry.

Su Qiruo, who had intended to go inside for a drink of water, saw the untouched food in the pot, and the gentleness on her face stiffened.

"Zimu, come here."

Hearing Su Qiruo call him, Yun Zimu ignored the pain in his leg and hurried over.

Seeing the displeasure on Su Qiruo’s face, Yun Zimu closed his eyes, bracing himself for the unknown pain.

"Why didn't you eat?"

The expected pain did not come. Instead, a cold hand pinched his nose, making it hard for him to breathe.

Yun Zimu’s eyelashes fluttered as he slowly opened his eyes, only to be met with a look of heartache on Su Qiruo’s face.

Yun Zimu was stunned. His wife wasn't going to hit him; she was just blaming him for not eating?

Perhaps because Su Qiruo had been too gentle these past few days, Yun Zimu dared to voice his dissatisfaction.

"Wife shouldn't be so wasteful. There is only this much rice left in the house. If we eat it all in one meal, won't we go hungry in the days to come?"

Yun Zimu’s slightly pouting face looked like a little squirrel chewing on a pine nut. Only then did Su Qiruo realize the cuteness of this little husband.

Su Qiruo let out a soft laugh, her tone unusually gentle and carrying a hint of doting.

"Do you think your wife is really that useless? Zimu, from now on, I will work hard to earn money so you can live a good life. I will never act recklessly again. Will you give me a chance?"

Su Qiruo spoke with such sincerity that Yun Zimu couldn't help but want to nod.

"Then be a good boy and eat. I’m going to find people to help move that bear back. I’ll take it to the market tomorrow to sell, and I’ll bring you something good to eat tonight."

Su Qiruo didn't dare to delay any longer; as long as the bear wasn't brought back, she couldn't rest easy.

"Wife should eat before you go!"

Yun Zimu said softly. He wasn't someone who usually cared for others, and he was startled by his own words.

"I’ve already eaten. You finish all of that. If I come back tonight and see food still in the pot, I’ll take it all out and feed it to the dogs."

Su Qiruo threatened him, and thinking that she might not return too early, she added another instruction.

"I’ll bolt the door for you later. Don't wait up for me tonight; get some rest early."

Before Yun Zimu could ask anything more, Su Qiruo picked up the hemp rope and left the house.

Staring blankly at her departing back, Yun Zimu’s heart skipped a beat.

"Wife... she doesn't seem that bad after all..."

Thinking of Su Qiruo’s threatening words before she left, Yun Zimu hurried to serve out the porridge that was still steaming in the pot.

After eating and feeding the rabbits, Yun Zimu bolted the door from the inside and took out a handkerchief from the broken wooden cabinet to embroider.

Ever since he was bought by Su Qiruo, he had relied on selling handkerchiefs to earn a few copper coins to supplement the household expenses. Although he wasn't being beaten anymore, he was still afraid of going hungry.

If there was no food in the house, his wife would surely sell him off.

Although Su Qiruo couldn't be considered a good person, she was his wife after all. If he were forced to serve different women like those courtesans, he would rather die.

After leaving home, Su Qiruo followed her memories to find Lu Dasheng and the others. Lu Dasheng was a decent person and the most sensible among the friends Su Qiruo used to associate with.

Also often hanging out with Su Qiruo was Lu Qimei from the village head’s family. She was called Lu Qimei because she had six older brothers above her; being the only daughter, the family had always spoiled her, which led her to associate with the idle Su Qiruo.

Lu Qimei had been involved in many of the reckless things Su Qiruo had done in the past.

Lu Ziping was the most obedient to Su Qiruo. She had lost her parents when she was young and often came to the Su house for meals; even her name had been given by Su Qiruo’s mother.

The four young women entered the deep mountains together and were all stunned when they saw the large black bear.

"Sister Qiruo, you are truly amazing to be able to catch such a big beast."

Lu Ziping couldn't help but praise Su Qiruo. The money from the wild boar they had hunted a while back had all been spent by Su Qiruo to buy Yun Zimu. Now that this black bear was sold, they would have money.

"Indeed! Qiruo, you are so bold."

Lu Qimei smacked her lips in admiration, then rolled up her sleeves to help Lu Dasheng tie the ropes.

"This was all exchanged for my life, sisters."

Su Qiruo pointed to the wounds on her body, and the group instantly fell silent.

"Since you have a family, you should live your life properly."

Lu Dasheng, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up. Having heard that Su Qiruo often beat and scolded the husband she bought when she was drunk, Lu Dasheng had tried to advise her before, but Su Qiruo wouldn't listen, and there was nothing anyone else could do.

(End of chapter)